Cedar lumber collection
Closest Kingma softwood/outdoor path when an exact listing is not available.
View optionNorthern White Cedar Wood Guide
Wood species guide · Softwood lumber species
Northern White Cedar is best understood by how it looks, how it works, and where it should be used. This guide explains the practical buying details before sending you to the right Kingma products.
Scientific nameThuja occidentalis
Janka hardness320 lbf
Average dried weight22.0 lb/ft³
Best fitFences
Overview
Why choose Northern White Cedar?
Northern White Cedar is a softwood lumber species associated with Northeastern North America. It is useful when the project calls for fences, posts, shingles, piles, canoes, outdoor furniture, railroad ties, and paper (pulpwood)
For SEO and customer usefulness, this page separates the science from the buying decision: appearance, working behaviour, durability, project fit, and then the right Kingma shopping path.
Scientific nameThuja occidentalis
DistributionNortheastern North America
ShrinkageRadial: 2.2%, Tangential: 4.9%, Volumetric: 7.2%, T/R Ratio: 2.2 More images | Identification
DurabilityRated as durable to very durable regarding decay resistance; also resistant to termites and powder post beetles.
Northern White Cedar colour, grain, and figure
Expect heartwood is light reddish brown. Relatively narrow sapwood is nearly white and isn’t always sharply or clearly demarcated from the heartwood.
In practical selection, the grain and texture are best treated this way: grain is usually straight; fine, even texture with moderate natural luster.
Working notes
In the shop, good overall working characteristics, and works easily with both hand and machine tools. However, the wood is both soft and weak, giving it poor screw-holding capabilities.
Although severe reactions are quite uncommon, northern white cedar has been reported to cause skin irritation, runny nose, as well as asthma-like symptoms.
Northern White Cedar should be sold by project fit: colour, workability, durability, and the format the customer actually needs.
Best uses for Northern White Cedar
Best projects
Fences, posts, shingles, piles, canoes, outdoor furniture, railroad ties, and paper (pulpwood)
Use caution
Avoid specifying it by name alone; confirm board size, moisture, colour, figure, and the project environment before buying.
Finish strategy
Test finishes on offcuts first, especially when colour, blotching, outdoor exposure, or grain filling matters.
Buying note
Choose boards, slabs, plywood, blanks, or posts based on the project rather than species name alone.
Shop path
Buying Northern White Cedar from Kingma
Start with the direct species match when Kingma sells it. If stock rotates, use the closest live collection or a clearly explained alternative.
White Oak lumber collection
A harder outdoor-aware hardwood alternative when the project calls for durability rather than softwood character.
View optionSimilar woods and alternatives
If Kingma does not have an exact match online, use the buying links below as practical alternatives only when the colour, grain, hardness, or project environment makes sense.
Northern White Cedar FAQ
What is Northern White Cedar best used for?
Northern White Cedar is best considered for fences, posts, shingles, piles, canoes, outdoor furniture, railroad ties, and paper (pulpwood). Match it to the exact board format, colour, hardness, and finish plan before buying.
Is Northern White Cedar beginner friendly?
It depends on density, grain direction, and tooling. Test cuts on offcuts first, and choose Maple, Cherry, Walnut, or Poplar when easier machining is the priority.
Does Kingma sell Northern White Cedar?
Use the buying section on this page. If an exact product is not listed, the linked alternatives are included only when they make practical sense for colour, grain, or project use.